A wireform bracket provides a simple, elegant, low-cost solution for managing a large number of cables, while also allowing ample airflow at the back of a computer system. A wireform bracket in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of bends, with each bend proximate a connector on the backplane of a computer system when the wireform bracket is attached to the back of the computer system. As cables are connected to the back of the computer system, each cable is fastened to the nearest bend using a tie-wrap, or some other cable fastening method known in the art. The present invention minimizes potential strain at the connectors by shifting any strain to the point at which the cable is attached to the wireform bracket, while also minimizing the disruption of airflow in the area immediately behind a computer system. In one embodiment, a wireform cable is formed from a 1/8 inch thick piece of steel wire, though other materials and thicknesses may be Mused. This embodiment includes eight bends and is ideally suited for use in a computer system having six PCI slots. Those skilled in the art will understand how to apply the teachings herein to adapt the present invention for use in other configurations.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A wireform bracket for managing cables coupled to a computer system having a plurality of PCI slots comprising: a first flattened end having a hole formed therein, the hole providing an attachment point for attaching the wireform bracket to the computer system; a first relatively straight segment extending perpendicularly from a backplane of the computer system when the wireform bracket is attached to the computer system, and having first and second ends, with the first end attached to the first flattened end; a first bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the first bend attached to the second end of the first relatively straight segment; a second relatively straight segment extending lengthwise along one of the PCI slots and parallel to the backplane of the computer system when the wireform bracket is attached to the computer system, and having a first end attached to the second end of the first bend and a second end; a second bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the second bend attached to the second end of the second relatively straight segment; a third relatively straight segment extending perpendicularly relative to the second relatively straight segment across at least one other PCI slot and parallel to the backplane of the computer system when the wireform bracket is attached to the computer system, the third relatively straight segment having a first end coupled to the second end of the second bend and a second end; a second flattened end having a hole formed therein, the hole providing an attachment point for attaching the wireform bracket to the computer system; a fourth relatively straight segment extending perpendicularly from the backplane of the computer system when the wireform bracket is attached to the computer system, and having first and second ends, with the first end attached to the second flattened end; a third bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the third bend attached to the second end of the fourth relatively straight segment; a fifth relatively straight segment extending lengthwise along one of the PCI slots and parallel to the backplane of the computer system when the wireform bracket is attached to the computer system, and having a first end attached to the second end of the third bend and a second end; a fourth bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the fourth bend attached to the second end of the fifth relatively straight segment; and a sixth relatively straight segment extending perpendicularly relative to the fifth relatively straight segment across at least one other PCI slot and parallel to the backplane of the computer system when the wireform bracket is attached to the computer system, the sixth relatively straight segment having a first end coupled to the second end of the fourth bend and a second end, wherein cables coupled to connectors on PCI cards inserted into the PCI slats may be attached to the wireform bracket at the first, second, third, and fourth bends when the wireform bracket is attached to the computer system.
2. The wireform bracket of claim 1 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth bends each have angle of approximately 90 degrees.
3. The wireform bracket of claim 1 and further comprising: a fifth bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the fifth bend attached to the second end of the third relatively straight segment; a seventh relatively straight segment extending lengthwise along one of the PCI slots and parallel to the backplane of the computer system when the wireform bracket is attached to the computer system, and having a first end attached to the second end of the fifth bend and a second end; a sixth bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the sixth bend attached to the second end of the seventh relatively straight segment; an eighth relatively straight segment extending perpendicularly relative to the seventh relatively straight segment across at least one other PCI slot and parallel to the backplane of the computer system when the wireform bracket is attached to the computer system, the eighth relatively straight segment having a first end coupled to the second end of the sixth bend and a second end; a seventh bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the seventh bend attached to the second end of the eighth relatively straight segment; a ninth relatively straight segment extending lengthwise along one of the PCI slots and parallel to the backplane of the computer system when the wireform bracket is attached to the computer system, and having a first end attached to the second end of the seventh bend and a second end; and a eighth bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the eighth bend attached to the second end of the ninth relatively straight segment and the second end of the eighth bend attached to the second end of the sixth relatively straight segment.
4. The wireform bracket of claim 3 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth bends each have angle of approximately 90 degrees.
5. An assembly comprising: a backplane of a computer system having a plurality of openings, wherein cards inserted into PCI slots adjacent the openings include connectors that are accessible via the openings; a plurality of cables, with each cable coupled to a connector and routed away from the backplane; and a wireform bracket mounted to the computer system, the wireform bracket comprising: a length of wire having relatively straight segments connected together by a series of bends; and at least one attachment point attached to the computer system, wherein each cable of the plurality of cables is attached to a bend of the series of bends, and each PCI slot is proximate a bend.
6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the length of wire is formed from a polycarbonate material.
7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the length of wire is formed from steel wire.
8. The as of claim 5 wherein the steel wire is approximately 1/8 inch thick.
9. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the length of wire comprises: a first flattened end having a hole formed therein, the hole providing an attachment point at which the first flattened end is attached to the computer system; a first relatively straight segment extending perpendicularly from the backplane of the computer system, and having first and second ends, with the first end attached to the first flattened end; a first bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the first bend attached to the second end of the first relatively straight segment; a second relatively straight segment extending lengthwise along one of the PCI slots and parallel to the backplane of tie computer system, and having a first end attached to the second end of the first bend and a second end; a second bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the second bend attached to the second end of the second relatively straight segment; a third relatively straight segment extending perpendicularly relative to the second relatively straight segment across at least one other PCI slot and parallel to the baokplane of the computer system, the third relatively straight segment having a first end coupled to the second end of the second bend and a second end; a second flattened end having a hole formed therein, the hole providing an attachment point at which the second flattened end is attached to the computer system; a fourth relatively straight segment extending perpendicularly from the backplane of the computer system, and having first and second ends, with the first end attached to the second flattened end; a third bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the third bend attached to the second end of the fourth relatively straight segment; a fifth the relatively straight segment extending lengthwise along one of the PCI slots and parallel to the backplane of the computer system, and having a first end attached to the second end of the third bend and a second end; a fourth bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the fourth bend attached to the second end of the fifth relatively straight segment; and a sixth relatively straight segment extending perpendicularly relative to the fifth relatively straight segment across at least one other PCI slot and parallel to the backplane of the computer system, the sixth relatively straight segment having a first end coupled to the second end of the fourth bend and a second end.
10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth bends each have angle of approximately 90 degrees.
11. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the wireform bracket further comprises: a fifth bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the fifth bend attached to the second end of the third relatively straight segment; a seventh relatively straight segment extending lengthwise along one of the PCI slots and parallel to the backplane of the computer system, and having a first end attached to the second end of the fifth bend and a second end; a sixth bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the sixth bend attached to the second end of the seventh relatively straight segment; an eighth relatively straight segment extending perpendicularly relative to the seventh relatively straight segment across at least one other PCI slot and parallel to the backplane of the computer system, the eighth relatively straight segment having a first end coupled to the second end of the sixth bend and a second end; a seventh bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the seventh bend attached to the second end of the eighth relatively straight segment; a ninth relatively straight segment extending lengthwise along one of the PCI slots and parallel to the backplane of the computer system, and having a first end attached to the second end of the seventh bend and a second end; and a eighth bend having first and second ends, with the first end of the eighth bend attached to the second end of the ninth relatively straight segment and the second end of the eighth bend attached to the second end of the sixth relatively straight segment.
12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth bends each have angle of approximately 90 degrees.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
April 29, 1999
December 4, 2001
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.